| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What type of licensing & accreditation do you have?Children's Discovery is licensed by the state of MN & accredited by the Better Business Bureau. What is your children-to-teacher ratio?Our maximum children-to-teacher ratios are 4-to-1 for infants, 7-to-1 for toddlers, 10-to-1 for preschoolers and 15-to-1 for Kindergartners. On average, you will see even lower ratios in our classrooms. Are children of different ages grouped together?No. For the safety & comfort of your child, we group children according to their age in individual classrooms. In this way, we can guarantee age-appropriate activities & play. On average, how long have your teachers been teaching?We take education seriously, so we employ only experienced educators. Our teachers & administrative staff have an average of 12.5 years of experience in education & child care. Do you have a high staff turnover rate?No. Our staff turnover rate is very low. We create a positive environment not only for our children but also for our staff. We currently have numerous staff who have been employed with us for 10, 20 & 30 years!
How many staff members are CPR & first aid certified?We require all of our teachers & assistant teachers maintain a current certification in CPR & first aid. We also train all of our staff in the areas of SIDS, Shaken Baby Syndrome & Blood Bourne Pathogens. Do you welcome parent involvement? Can I stop by unannounced?The answer to both is a resounding, "YES!" Our school is a community that embraces the whole family. We host events throughout the year, including picnics & performances in our gym, to encourage families to be involved in their child's experience. And if you'd like to get an inside look at your child at play or in the classroom, you can stop by anytime. How often do you clean the rooms & toys?All of our facilities (including toys) are cleaned at least once a day. The changing tables are disinfected after each diaper change & classroom tables are disinfected before & after each meal. How large is your playground?We have two spacious, well-equipped playgrounds, one for toddlers & one for preschool & kindergarten students, so that children are only exposed to age-appropriate activities & equipment. The entire play yard is fenced in for security. How do you communicate with parents?The parents of infants & toddlers receive a daily journal that documents feedings, naps & other important notes. Parents of other youngsters get regular updates from teachers regarding their child's progress & we invite parents to speak with our staff at any time. We provide a weekly newsletter to share learning lessons, news & event information. In addition, we also provide conferences twice a year. What if someone other than my spouse/partner or me has to pick up my child?In order to protect your child, we require that you provide the names of any individual who has permission to pick up your child. We require advance notice from you when someone other than a parent will be picking up your child & will check identification. If we have any questions or concerns, we ask that you are available via cell phone to provide confirmation. What security measures are in place to protect my child?Your child's safety & your peace of mind are of the utmost concern at Children's Discovery. Our entrance is securely locked at all times. Each family has their own individual code to enter the building. Visitors must be let in the building by a Children's Discovery staff member. Any individual who would be picking up your child must be given your permission & provide identification to our staff. Do you provide meals & snacks?Yes! In fact, we maintain a commercial kitchen & an on-site cook so that we can prepare & serve nutritious, home-cooked meals & snacks for children. Our weekly menus are posted on our website. Can I get a daily record of my child's experiences?Yes. This is a standard practice for the infants & toddlers in our care but we also extend the courtesy to any parent who requests such notes. We understand that you need to be part of your child's experience, even when you can't physically be there. Our goal is to involve you as much as possible in the day-to-day development. What are your hours?We are open Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m. Our school is closed only for the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day. How many years have you been in business?Children's Discovery has been educating & caring for young children since 1981. What makes you different from other area centers?We are LOCALLY owned, with the owners working on-site! We have the flexibility to change our classrooms & curriculum to meet the individual needs of the children in our care. Also, we have a fantastic long-term staff! How are you different than just taking my child to a babysitter or nanny?We are teachers & educators. Your child will be in an educational classroom setting with convenient hours for working parents. How can I come in for a tour?Click here to schedule a tour, give us a call, send a request via email, or just stop by – you don’t need an appointment. Why should I have my child attend your Kindergarten program instead of public school?Our Kindergarten is a whole day program with a much smaller ratio than public school (more individual attention for each child.) We are in session 31 more days than the public schools (more learning time.) Also, extended day & school days off are included in the tuition – no busing required! We additionally provide nutritious lunches & snacks at no extra charge! Why is it important to invest in a quality early childhood program for your child?Statistics show that a good early childhood education sets the foundation for academic success in the elementary years. Children’s Discovery is a wonderful investment in your child’s future! What if I am not happy after my child is attending?We understand that you might change your mind. We've built our reputation on happy families & one way we do that is by offering a complete refund if you or your child is not satisfied after one month at Children's Discovery Academy. We believe that any child care center or preschool should be willing to offer this same guarantee! How can I get a question answered that wasn't answered on this page?Visit our 'Contact Us' page. We're happy to answer all of your questions. |





